French word

secondaire

Pronunciation

IPA/səgɔ̃dɛʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivesecondary

Example

Ce problème est secondaire.

This problem is secondary.

Illustration for secondaire (secondary)

More examples

Il occupe un poste secondaire dans l'entreprise.

He holds a secondary position in the company.

Core concept

A supporting element that matters less than the main one and depends on it.

Common phrases

  • effet secondaire

    side effect

  • problème secondaire

    secondary problem

  • poste secondaire

    secondary position

Similar words

accessoire: Added to the main element and not essential to it.
mineur: Limited in scope or impact and relatively unimportant.

Definition in French

Qui est d'importance moindre par rapport à ce qui est principal ou qui en dépend.

Word origin

French secondaire comes from Latin secundarius, derived from secundus, meaning "second," and entered French through Old French with the sense of what ranks below the principal.

Usage tips

  • In effet secondaire, secondaire means an additional effect, often an unwanted side effect, rather than simply the second item.

Other meanings

  • incidentaladjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word